Traditional Easter pastries are expected to see a price hike this year as bakers face rising costs of essential ingredients, particularly eggs, butter, and chocolate. The increase will be most noticeable in chocolate-glazed Easter lamb cakes, a beloved holiday treat in the Czech Republic.
“Easter pastry prices will rise moderately, though the exact increase will vary by bakery,” says Bohumil Hlavatý, Executive Director of the Czech Bakers and Confectioners Association. The price surge is primarily driven by a dramatic increase in egg prices, which have jumped by about 50% compared to last March, with a carton of ten eggs now costing around 68 crowns.
The cost increases extend beyond eggs – butter prices have risen by 31.1% year-over-year, while chocolate has seen significant increases as well. For reference, a 400-gram Easter lamb cake currently retails at Globus for 89.90 crowns, down from its regular price of 109.90 crowns.
Rising labor costs in the baking industry are adding to the pressure, with no signs of slowing down. The Czech Food Chamber also points to increasing packaging fees and waste management costs as contributing factors.
Despite these challenges, bakers don’t plan to alter traditional recipes, as consumers continue to favor classic Easter treats like mazanec (sweet bread), hot cross buns, and lamb-shaped cakes.